Sony RX100 V Test
I was trying different settings to see how low ISO I could go but keep the shutter speed high enough as Ozzy moves so much just as I am about to take the picture; something he's always done. He sees the red light or white light depending on settings and cameras, and he moves.
So, I get a lot of blurry shots and have to be aware of the shutter speed. I notice that even with its somewhat fast lens, the ISO jumps up if I try to pick a higher shutter speed. It wasn't bright outside, but it wasn't night time either and I don't understand how I couldn't get a lower ISO for this shot. Yeah, it was kind of dull outside, but not dark. Maybe I should turn off the ND filter for dull light like this. I think that might give me back a stop or two of light to bump up the shutter speed without having to bring up that ISO setting.
I will be experimenting more with this camera. Being so small, and having so many features, it can be a task to set it all right. I have started two assign Custom buttons for my needs. Being that I shoot mostly stills with the occasional video, I set my camera up for quick access to ISO, burst shots, and because I shoot in either shutter priority or aperture priority the lower button on the dial gives me the EV+ and EV- options. In manual mode, (which I also shoot in a lot) that lower button toggles between shutter and f/stop settings.
I dumped the guide on the trash button and assigned the ND filter, so I don't run into this problem mentioned above again. I want quick access to turn off that ND filter when in this dreary dull lighting situation, because it really doesn't need it. One thing about Sony cameras is that there are so many damn menus for the many choices, which can make searching a pain in the ass; even if you are a Sony owner and know your way around. Thankfully I can set up my buttons and even use the memory recall option to switch to something like a macro shot. (I say something like because Sony is not known for macro really.) This camera gets as close as 5cm, but that is not as good as the Canon S95 I have or the Fuji X10 which did a super macro mode. My Sony A6000 also had no real macro, as you had to buy the macro lens to shoot macro shots. Now that I understand. What I don't understand is how a compact camera doesn't have macro in it! That just pisses me off.
Okay, so what do I like about this camera as of now? I like the variety of options and features to use in such a small camera. I like the quality of build, the 4K video, panoramic, HFR, ability to set up my function buttons, the dynamic range is pretty good. The features I must mention again are pretty fantastic for a compact camera, but they come at a huge price. I think this camera is overpriced, but it is the only game in town really. All of the other Vlogging-Type cameras I've checked or used have something missing from them. So although the Panasonic Lumix LX10 has the touch screen, as does the Canon G7X, it doesn't have as many features as the Sony MK5. The Canon doesn't have 4K, if that matters, and the Panasonic Lumix LX10 has had AF issues in keeping a Vlogger in focus. I've seen so many videos where it has failed to lock in focus and goes in and out constantly. ( I really wanted to get that Lumix too!) So although I like the Lumix LX10, I don't think it's quite up to Sony in how great it functions. Also the files don't look as nice in higher ISOs. I don't think they do.
I hear the Sony overheats. I am certain that it does, though I haven't experienced it yet. Again, this is a camera with video features and was never meant to be the number one choice for video, no matter how much everyone wants it to be. There are video cameras for that. Still, Sony needs to address that flaw in their camera. They also need to address battery life which isn't that good either. It isn't as terrible as a Sigma DP Merrill camera, but it isn't good like a Canon S95 camera either. Again, features may dictate the battery drain, and I do believe there are functions that continue when the camera is off which may cause it to drain, same as in the A6000 that I owned. I am too lazy to remember what that was, but I do know I turned off the feature causing it, so I gained back some battery life. (Was it the WiFi access?)
Anyway, the price of this camera needs to come down. It's too much money. But Sony won't do that because it's got consumers by the balls right now knowing it has the best features for its size. And yes they do, so suck it up, butter cup. As vulgar as that sounds, it's business. I get it. Sony does deliver on a pretty good product though. The 1" sensor is pretty darn good, but I wish they'd figure out a way to make it bigger. Yeah, I know. It's a pocket camera. So as a pocket camera it is great, though slippery as hell. I may order that stick on grip. I've almost dropped this sucker a few times and thankfully I had it on my wrist.
In the end, I am keeping the camera because it does resolve my need for a pretty damn good pocket camera that can also do 4K video, selfies and Vlogging. It really is amazing what cameras can do these days, and this is much better than an iPhone or Samsung. I almost just want to use the iPhone as my compact as it's ALWAYS with me. But we all know that once you start blowing up the shots, they turn to shit. This little camera resolves that, and it's small enough to carry everywhere. Seriously. I am even thinking of getting one of those Peak Design clips for when I carry a backpack or bag. As of now, I carry this in a small LowePro pocket camera bag. (It's perfect and you can add an extra battery or SD cards too.) I've also checked out the half cases, but if I get the little grip, it won't need a case at all and I can just chuck this thing in my purse, like I do with it in the LowePro case.
Another thing, smaller cameras are better for me as I am older and want to carry less weight on my poor back or neck. All the older photographers know what I am talking about, which brings me to the next comment.
Sony is the only compact camera with this many features that has an EVF. I am older, and my eyes are not what they used to be. The EVF is a blast to use and it's needed for many shots I take. The Canon and the Panasonic do not have an EVF. The Lumix LX100, a bigger compact, not pocketable, has an EVF, but it made the fatal error of not having an articulating screen and not utilizing the full sensor in the camera. So the size and those omissions made me return it. It's why I keep my Fuji X-T10, because the EVF and the tilting screen are an absolute necessity for me. (Well, that and the retro buttons, Fuji X series lenses and the color of the files make it a joy to use.)
Okay, if I think off any more information about this camera, I will let you know. I am keeping it.
Sony RX100 V Test
I was trying different settings to see how low ISO I could go but keep the shutter speed high enough as Ozzy moves so much just as I am about to take the picture; something he's always done. He sees the red light or white light depending on settings and cameras, and he moves.
So, I get a lot of blurry shots and have to be aware of the shutter speed. I notice that even with its somewhat fast lens, the ISO jumps up if I try to pick a higher shutter speed. It wasn't bright outside, but it wasn't night time either and I don't understand how I couldn't get a lower ISO for this shot. Yeah, it was kind of dull outside, but not dark. Maybe I should turn off the ND filter for dull light like this. I think that might give me back a stop or two of light to bump up the shutter speed without having to bring up that ISO setting.
I will be experimenting more with this camera. Being so small, and having so many features, it can be a task to set it all right. I have started two assign Custom buttons for my needs. Being that I shoot mostly stills with the occasional video, I set my camera up for quick access to ISO, burst shots, and because I shoot in either shutter priority or aperture priority the lower button on the dial gives me the EV+ and EV- options. In manual mode, (which I also shoot in a lot) that lower button toggles between shutter and f/stop settings.
I dumped the guide on the trash button and assigned the ND filter, so I don't run into this problem mentioned above again. I want quick access to turn off that ND filter when in this dreary dull lighting situation, because it really doesn't need it. One thing about Sony cameras is that there are so many damn menus for the many choices, which can make searching a pain in the ass; even if you are a Sony owner and know your way around. Thankfully I can set up my buttons and even use the memory recall option to switch to something like a macro shot. (I say something like because Sony is not known for macro really.) This camera gets as close as 5cm, but that is not as good as the Canon S95 I have or the Fuji X10 which did a super macro mode. My Sony A6000 also had no real macro, as you had to buy the macro lens to shoot macro shots. Now that I understand. What I don't understand is how a compact camera doesn't have macro in it! That just pisses me off.
Okay, so what do I like about this camera as of now? I like the variety of options and features to use in such a small camera. I like the quality of build, the 4K video, panoramic, HFR, ability to set up my function buttons, the dynamic range is pretty good. The features I must mention again are pretty fantastic for a compact camera, but they come at a huge price. I think this camera is overpriced, but it is the only game in town really. All of the other Vlogging-Type cameras I've checked or used have something missing from them. So although the Panasonic Lumix LX10 has the touch screen, as does the Canon G7X, it doesn't have as many features as the Sony MK5. The Canon doesn't have 4K, if that matters, and the Panasonic Lumix LX10 has had AF issues in keeping a Vlogger in focus. I've seen so many videos where it has failed to lock in focus and goes in and out constantly. ( I really wanted to get that Lumix too!) So although I like the Lumix LX10, I don't think it's quite up to Sony in how great it functions. Also the files don't look as nice in higher ISOs. I don't think they do.
I hear the Sony overheats. I am certain that it does, though I haven't experienced it yet. Again, this is a camera with video features and was never meant to be the number one choice for video, no matter how much everyone wants it to be. There are video cameras for that. Still, Sony needs to address that flaw in their camera. They also need to address battery life which isn't that good either. It isn't as terrible as a Sigma DP Merrill camera, but it isn't good like a Canon S95 camera either. Again, features may dictate the battery drain, and I do believe there are functions that continue when the camera is off which may cause it to drain, same as in the A6000 that I owned. I am too lazy to remember what that was, but I do know I turned off the feature causing it, so I gained back some battery life. (Was it the WiFi access?)
Anyway, the price of this camera needs to come down. It's too much money. But Sony won't do that because it's got consumers by the balls right now knowing it has the best features for its size. And yes they do, so suck it up, butter cup. As vulgar as that sounds, it's business. I get it. Sony does deliver on a pretty good product though. The 1" sensor is pretty darn good, but I wish they'd figure out a way to make it bigger. Yeah, I know. It's a pocket camera. So as a pocket camera it is great, though slippery as hell. I may order that stick on grip. I've almost dropped this sucker a few times and thankfully I had it on my wrist.
In the end, I am keeping the camera because it does resolve my need for a pretty damn good pocket camera that can also do 4K video, selfies and Vlogging. It really is amazing what cameras can do these days, and this is much better than an iPhone or Samsung. I almost just want to use the iPhone as my compact as it's ALWAYS with me. But we all know that once you start blowing up the shots, they turn to shit. This little camera resolves that, and it's small enough to carry everywhere. Seriously. I am even thinking of getting one of those Peak Design clips for when I carry a backpack or bag. As of now, I carry this in a small LowePro pocket camera bag. (It's perfect and you can add an extra battery or SD cards too.) I've also checked out the half cases, but if I get the little grip, it won't need a case at all and I can just chuck this thing in my purse, like I do with it in the LowePro case.
Another thing, smaller cameras are better for me as I am older and want to carry less weight on my poor back or neck. All the older photographers know what I am talking about, which brings me to the next comment.
Sony is the only compact camera with this many features that has an EVF. I am older, and my eyes are not what they used to be. The EVF is a blast to use and it's needed for many shots I take. The Canon and the Panasonic do not have an EVF. The Lumix LX100, a bigger compact, not pocketable, has an EVF, but it made the fatal error of not having an articulating screen and not utilizing the full sensor in the camera. So the size and those omissions made me return it. It's why I keep my Fuji X-T10, because the EVF and the tilting screen are an absolute necessity for me. (Well, that and the retro buttons, Fuji X series lenses and the color of the files make it a joy to use.)
Okay, if I think off any more information about this camera, I will let you know. I am keeping it.